HTC One max with fingerprint scanner unveiled

Oct. 14, 2013
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The HTC One max. / HTC

by Ed Baig, USA TODAY

by Ed Baig, USA TODAY

HTC has had a difficult time out-dueling rival Samsung in the marketplace even though its HTC One Android smartphone compares favorably to Samsung's Galaxy S4 flagship.

Now, HTC is going after Samsung in the super-sized smartphone category known as "phablets." The Taiwanese company has just announced the new HTC One max, with a 5.9-inch, full-HD 1080p display that comes in even larger than the latest Samsung Galaxy Note 3, which has a 5.7-inch screen.

Also, HTC one-ups Samsung with at least one new addition, a Fingerprint Scan feature on the back of the device that folks can use to lock or unlock the screen and launch up to three designated apps (by assigning a different finger to each). Unlike the Touch ID fingerprint scanner that Apple has placed on the new iPhone 5s, you cannot use HTC's scanner to authenticate purchases, at least for now.

HTC One max has 32GB of onboard storage and comes with 50GB of free Google Drive online storage. You can also expand the memory via microSD card slot that's hidden behind the removable back cover, but the battery cannot be removed.

HTC One smartphone owners who try out the phablet will experience a similar look, feel and metallic design. The biggest difference, of course, comes with the bigger form factor and heavier (little over 7 ½ ounces) weight. And some changes are subtle, with the power button moving from the top to the side.

There's a personalized HTC BlinkFeed home screen, now with fresh content from Instagram and Google+. HTC says up to 120 articles can be downloaded for offline viewing.

There's also an UltraPixel camera with the HTC Zoe mode that grabs bit of video while you're snapping a still. A Video Highlights feature creates a mini-movie backed with a soundtrack.

Like its smaller sibling, the max has dual front-facing stereo speakers, but HTC is now pushing its own HTC Boom Sound. Beats Audio is not on this latest device.

Sprint and Verizon Wireless will carry the HTC One Max and have it out prior to the holidays. Pricing has not been announced.